U.S. patent number 10,795,085 [Application Number 16/161,535] was granted by the patent office on 2020-10-06 for tube slitter with off-axis hinge.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Ripley Tools, LLC. The grantee listed for this patent is Ripley Tools, LLC. Invention is credited to Will Eisele.
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United States Patent |
10,795,085 |
Eisele |
October 6, 2020 |
Tube slitter with off-axis hinge
Abstract
A tube jacket slitting tool including first and second opposite
tool portions, each tool portion including a common hinged portion
at a first end for engaging the opposite tool portion. The first
and second opposite tool portions are foldable about the hinged
portion between an open position and a closed position. The tool
includes at least one concave surface extending across the width of
forming an opening, when the first and second opposite tool
portions are in the closed position, through which a tube may be
slid. The tool includes a blade extending inward into the opening
for slitting a depth of the tube jacket as it is moved with respect
to the tool. The tool includes a hinge pivot axis in the hinged
portion extending in a direction substantially in the direction of
the width and at an acute angle to either the plane or to the
longitudinal axis of the tube or cable in the opening formed by the
at least one concave surface. When the first and second opposite
tool portions are folded to the closed position with the tube or
cable in the opening, movement of the tube or cable with respect to
the tool causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be
urged toward each other.
Inventors: |
Eisele; Will (New Britain,
CT) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ripley Tools, LLC |
Cleveland |
OH |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ripley Tools, LLC (Cleveland,
OH)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005097083 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/161,535 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20190113681 A1 |
Apr 18, 2019 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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62572596 |
Oct 16, 2017 |
|
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62725557 |
Aug 31, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B
6/245 (20130101); G02B 6/4497 (20130101); B26D
3/001 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02B
6/245 (20060101); G02B 6/44 (20060101); B26D
3/00 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Machine translation of DE 102015118439 (Year: 2017). cited by
examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Choi; Stephen
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Delio Peterson & Curcio Ciesco;
Thomas E.
Claims
Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool comprising:
first and second opposite tool portions, each tool portion
including a common hinged portion at a first end for engaging the
first and second opposite tool portion, the first and second
opposite tool portions being foldable about the hinged portion
between an open position and a closed, folded-together position,
each of the first and second opposite tool portions having a
length, width, and height, with the length extending in the
direction from the hinged portion at the one end to a second end
opposite the hinge, the width extending in the direction
perpendicular to the length, and the height extending in the
direction perpendicular to the length and width, the first and
second opposite tool portions meeting along a plane comprising the
length and width when in the closed position; at least one concave
surface extending across the width of at least one of the first and
second tool portions, the at least one concave surface forming an
opening, when the first and second opposite tool portions are in
the closed position, through which a tube or cable may be slid with
respect to the tool; a blade extending inward into the opening
formed by the at least one concave surface for slitting or cutting
a depth of the tube or cable jacket as it is moved with respect to
the tool; and a hinge pivot axis in the hinged portion extending in
a direction substantially in the direction of the width and at an
acute angle to either the plane or to the longitudinal axis of the
tube or cable in the opening formed by the at least one concave
surface, wherein when the first and second opposite tool portions
are folded to the closed position with the tube or cable in the
opening, the blade cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket and
movement of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in one
direction to slit or cut the tube or cable jacket with the blade
causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be urged
toward each other.
2. The tool of claim 1 wherein each of the tool portions includes
an alignment portion disposed near the second end and the first
tool portion alignment portion is engagable with the second tool
portion alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the tool
when the tool is in the closed position.
3. The tool of claim 1 further including a projection extending
from a side of first and second opposite tool portions in the
direction of the tool width and wherein the at least one concave
surface extends through the projection.
4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the blade extends inward into the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface in the
projection.
5. The tool of claim 3 wherein the projection extends between a
user's fingers when the user grasps the tool with the fingers
extend substantially around the closed tool portions.
6. The tool of claim 5 wherein the blade extends inward into the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface in the
projection.
7. The tool of claim 1 wherein the at least one concave surface and
blade are removable as a unit from the at least one of the first
and second tool portions.
8. The tool of claim 1 including at least one concave surface
formed into and extending across the width of each of the first and
second tool portions, the at least one concave surface in each tool
portion being in alignment with the other concave surface to form
an opening, wherein when the first and second opposite tool
portions are in the closed position, the tube or cable may be slid
through the opening with respect to the tool.
9. The tool of claim 1 including a magnet secured in the first or
second tool portion and an alloy dowel pin secured in the other of
the first or second tool portion wherein the magnet is disposed
adjacent the alloy dowel when the tool is in the closed position,
maintaining the tool in the closed position when a tube is drawn
through the tool.
10. A tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool comprising:
first and second opposite tool portions, each tool portion
including a common hinged portion at a first end for engaging the
first and second opposite tool portion, the first and second
opposite tool portions being foldable about the hinged portion
between an open position and a closed, folded-together position,
each of the first and second opposite tool portions having a
length, width, and height, with the length extending in the
direction from the hinged portion at the one end to a second end
opposite the hinge, the width extending in the direction
perpendicular to the length, and the height extending in the
direction perpendicular to the length and width, the first and
second opposite tool portions meeting along a plane comprising the
length and width when in the closed position; a projection
extending from a side of the first and second opposite tool
portions in the direction of the tool width; at least one concave
surface extending across the width of at least one of the first and
second tool portions and through the projection, the at least one
concave surface forming an opening, when the first and second
opposite tool portions are in the closed position, through which a
tube or cable may be slid with respect to the tool; a blade
extending inward into the opening formed by the at least one
concave surface in the projection for slitting or cutting a depth
of the tube or cable jacket as it is moved with respect to the
tool, wherein when the first and second opposite tool portions are
folded to the closed position with the tube or cable in the
opening, the blade cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket and
movement of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in one
direction causes the blade to cut the tube or cable jacket; and a
hinge pivot axis in the hinged portion extending in a direction
substantially in the direction of the width and at an acute angle
to either the plane or to the longitudinal axis of the tube or
cable in the opening formed by the at least one concave surface,
and wherein when the first and second opposite tool portions are
folded to the closed position with the tube or cable in the
opening, the blade cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket and
movement of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in one
direction to slit or cut the tube or cable jacket with the blade
causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be urged
toward each other.
11. A method of using the tube or cable slitting tool as described
in claim 1 comprising: ensuring the first and second tool portions
are in an open position; placing a tube or cable having an outer
jacket into the opening formed by the at least one concave surface
of the first or second tool portion; moving the first and second
tool portions to the closed position whereby the blade extending
inward into at opening cuts the tube or cable outer jacket; drawing
a portion of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in a
parallel direction to the at least one concave surface of the first
or second tool half whereby the blade produces an elongated slit in
the tube or cable jacket; moving the tool to the open position; and
removing the slit tube or cable from the at least one concave
surface of the first or second tool portion.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein drawing the tube through the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface in one direction
causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be urged
toward one another.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein one or both of the tool portions
includes a projection extending from a side thereof in the
direction of the tool width, with the opening formed by the at
least one concave surface extending through the projection, and
wherein during drawing the tube through the at least one concave
surface in one direction the projection extends between the tool
operator's fingers when the user grasps the tool with the fingers
extend substantially around the closed tool portions.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the blade extends inward into
the opening formed by the at least one concave surface in the
projection.
15. A method of using the tube or cable slitting tool as described
in claim 10 comprising: ensuring the first and second tool portions
are in an open position; placing a tube or cable having an outer
jacket into the opening formed by the at least one concave surface
of the first or second tool portion; moving the first and second
tool portions to the closed position whereby the blade extending
inward into at opening cuts the tube or cable outer jacket;
grasping the tool with a user's fingers extend substantially around
the closed tool portions wherein the projection extends between the
tool operator's fingers; drawing a portion of the tube or cable
with respect to the tool in a parallel direction to the at least
one concave surface of the first or second tool half whereby the
blade produces an elongated slit in the tube or cable jacket;
moving the tool to the open position; and removing the slit tube or
cable from the at least one concave surface of the first or second
tool portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a tool for mid-span slitting
or cutting tubes, cables or insulating jackets of cables carrying
signal- or power-transmitting conduits, such as fiber optic
cables.
2. Description of Related Art
Fiber optic cables come in many different configurations and jacket
thicknesses. In some applications, many fibers are contained in a
single tube. Conventional tools used for midspan application can be
difficult to use and inaccurate. Some have blade depth adjustments
which can be difficult to set correctly. Other tools have a series
of channels with integral blades set to specific depths. These
tools rely on the opposite side blades to pierce the jacket wall.
They have a clip that can be difficult to operate, and ultimately
rely on the precision of the clip feature to set the depth of the
cut. Other tools which do not use a clip must be squeezed with
continuous pressure as the tool is brought down the cable.
Mid-span cable or tube slitter products on the market can be
categorized into two groups. The first group is the adjustable
blade slitters. This group of tools has more moving parts, fewer
blades, and require the user to adjust depth of the blade
corresponding to each cable size. The second group are fixed blade
slitters. These tools have different channels sized for the outer
diameter of the range of tubes. Aligned in these channels are
blades with depths related to the overall wall thickness.
The fixed blade tool category can be divided into locking tools and
tools that do not lock. Locking tools require the end user to use a
lock or latch to close the tool around the tube. The problem in
this style of tool is that the tool will be forced open as it is
being used. Since the latch will always need some amount of
clearance to work properly, there is always some finite amount of
loosening, as shown in FIG. 1. This causes the overall diameter and
blade setting to lose accuracy. This will result in longitudinal
cuts that do not pierce the jacket fully.
Tools that do not have a latch must be held closed by the operator.
This helps in maintaining the correct setting for the tool.
However, since current tools have the hinge parallel to the tube
direction, it causes extra strain on the operator of the tool. The
tool must be pulled down the tube, while at the same time being
squeezed perpendicular to the direction of the pull. If the
operator releases pressure on the tool, the blades will slide out
of contact with the tube and the cut will end, as shown in FIG. 2.
This constant need to apply pressure makes this style tool
difficult to achieve consistent cut depths. In many cases
two-handed operator is the only way to use the tool properly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it
is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tool
that has improved ergonomics for the operator and improved
precision for midspan slitting and cutting applications.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be
obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, are achieved in the present invention which is
directed to a tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool
including first and second opposite tool portions, each tool
portion including a common hinged portion at a first end for
engaging the opposite tool portion. The first and second opposite
tool portions are foldable about the hinged portion between an open
position and a closed, folded-together position, each of the first
and second opposite tool portions having a length, width, and
height, with the length extending in the direction from the hinged
portion at the one end to a second end opposite the hinge. The
width extends in the direction perpendicular to the length and the
height extends in the direction perpendicular to the length and
width, the first and second opposite tool portions meeting along a
plane comprising the length and width when in the closed position.
The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool includes at least
one concave surface extending across the width of at least one of
the first and second tool portions, the at least one concave
surface forming an opening, when the first and second opposite tool
portions are in the closed position, through which a tube or cable
may be slid with respect to the tool. The tube or cable jacket
slitting or cutting tool includes a blade extending inward into the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface for slitting or
cutting a depth of the tube or cable jacket as it is moved with
respect to the tool. The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting
tool includes a hinge pivot axis in the hinged portion extending in
a direction substantially in the direction of the width and at an
acute angle to either the plane or to the longitudinal axis of the
tube or cable in the opening formed by the at least one concave
surface. When the first and second opposite tool portions are
folded to the closed position with the tube or cable in the
opening, the blade cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket and
movement of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in one
direction to slit or cut the tube or cable jacket with the blade
causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be urged
toward each other. Each of the tool portions may include an
alignment portion disposed near the second end and the first tool
portion alignment portion may be engagable with the second tool
portion alignment portion for maintaining alignment of the tool
when the tool is in the closed position. The tube or cable jacket
slitting or cutting tool may include a projection extending from a
side of first and second opposite tool portions in the direction of
the tool width and wherein the at least one concave surface extends
through the projection. The blade may extend inward into the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface in the
projection. The projection may extend between a user's fingers when
the user grasps the tool with the fingers extend substantially
around the closed tool portions. The blade may extend inward into
the opening formed by the at least one concave surface in the
projection. The at least one concave surface and blade may be
removable as a unit from the at least one of the first and second
tool portions. The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool
may include at least one concave surface formed into and extending
across the width of each of the first and second tool portions, the
at least one concave surface in each tool portion being in
alignment with the other concave surface to form an opening,
wherein when the first and second opposite tool portions are in the
closed position, the tube or cable may be slid through the opening
with respect to the tool. The tool may include a magnet secured in
the first or second tool portion and an alloy dowel pin secured in
the other of the first or second tool portion wherein the magnet is
disposed adjacent the alloy dowel when the tool is in the closed
position, maintaining the tool in the closed position when a tube
is drawn through the tool.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of
using the tube or cable slitting tool as described above. The
method includes ensuring the first and second tool portions are in
an open position and placing a tube or cable having an outer jacket
into the opening formed by the at least one concave surface of the
first or second tool portion. The method includes moving the first
and second tool portions to the closed position whereby the blade
extending inward into at opening cuts the tube or cable outer
jacket and drawing a portion of the tube or cable with respect to
the tool in a parallel direction to the at least one concave
surface of the first or second tool half whereby the blade produces
an elongated slit in the tube or cable jacket. The method includes
moving the tool to the open position and removing the slit tube or
cable from the at least one concave surface of the first or second
tool portion. Drawing the tube through the opening formed by the at
least one concave surface in one direction may cause the first and
second opposite tool portions to be urged toward one another. One
or both of the tool portions may include a projection extending
from a side thereof in the direction of the tool width, with the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface extending
through the projection wherein during drawing the tube through the
at least one concave surface in one direction the projection
extends between the tool operator's fingers when the user grasps
the tool with the fingers extend substantially around the closed
tool portions. The blade may extend inward into the opening formed
by the at least one concave surface in the projection.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a tube or
cable jacket slitting or cutting tool including first and second
opposite tool portions, each tool portion having a common hinged
portion at a first end for engaging the opposite tool portion. The
first and second opposite tool portions are foldable about the
hinged portion between an open position and a closed,
folded-together position, each of the first and second opposite
tool portions having a length, width, and height. The length
extends in the direction from the hinged portion at the one end to
a second end opposite the hinge. The width extends in the direction
perpendicular to the length, and the height extends in the
direction perpendicular to the length and width. The first and
second opposite tool portions meeting along a plane comprising the
length and width when in the closed position. The tube or cable
jacket slitting or cutting tool includes a projection extending
from a side of first and second opposite tool portions in the
direction of the tool width and at least one concave surface
extending across the width of at least one of the first and second
tool portions and through the projection. The at least one concave
surface forms an opening, when the first and second opposite tool
portions are in the closed position, through which a tube or cable
may be slid with respect to the tool. The tube or cable jacket
slitting or cutting tool includes a blade extending inward into the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface in the
projection for slitting or cutting a depth of the tube or cable
jacket as it is moved with respect to the tool. When the first and
second opposite tool portions are folded to the closed position
with the tube or cable in the opening, the blade cuts into the tube
or cable outer jacket and movement of the tube or cable with
respect to the tool in one direction causes the blade to cut the
tube or cable jacket. The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting
tool may include a hinge pivot axis in the hinged portion extending
in a direction substantially in the direction of the width and at
an acute angle to either the plane or to the longitudinal axis of
the tube or cable in the opening formed by the at least one concave
surface. When the first and second opposite tool portions are
folded to the closed position with the tube or cable in the
opening, the blade cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket and
movement of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in one
direction to slit or cut the tube or cable jacket with the blade
causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be urged
toward each other. A method of using the tube or cable slitting
tool as described includes ensuring the first and second tool
portions are in an open position and placing a tube or cable having
an outer jacket into the opening formed by the at least one concave
surface of the first or second tool portion. The method includes
moving the first and second tool portions to the closed position
whereby the blade extending inward into at opening cuts the tube or
cable outer jacket and grasping the tool with a user's fingers
extend substantially around the closed tool portions wherein the
projection extends between the tool operator's fingers. The method
includes drawing a portion of the tube or cable with respect to the
tool in a parallel direction to the at least one concave surface of
the first or second tool half whereby the blade produces an
elongated slit in the tube or cable jacket, moving the tool to the
open position and removing the slit tube or cable from the at least
one concave surface of the first or second tool portion. The tool
may include a hinge pivot axis in the hinged portion extending in a
direction substantially in the direction of the width and at an
acute angle to either the plane or to the longitudinal axis of the
tube or cable in the opening formed by the at least one concave
surface wherein drawing the tube through the opening formed by the
at least one concave surface with respect to the tool in one
direction causes the first and second opposite tool portions to be
urged toward one another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elements
characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in
the appended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only
and are not drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as
to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by
reference to the detailed description which follows taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a side view of a locking style prior art mid-span
cutting tool.
FIG. 2 shows end and side views of a non-locking style prior art
mid-span cutting tool.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the tube slitter
tool of the present invention in the closed position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in the
open position according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in
the open position according to the present invention.
FIGS. 6a and 6b are front cutaway views showing the blades of the
tube slitter of FIG. 3 in the closed position.
FIGS. 7a and 7b show forces on the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in a
semi-closed and closed position.
FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in
the closed position.
FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in
the open position.
FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in
the closed position.
FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3 in
the open position.
FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3
in the closed position.
FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 3
in the open position.
FIG. 14 is a right front bottom perspective view of another
embodiment of the tube slitter in the open position.
FIG. 15 shows a bottom plan view of the tube slitter tool shown in
FIG. 14.
FIG. 16 is a left side cross-sectional view of the tube slitter of
FIG. 15 in the closed position across cut lines 16-16.
FIG. 17 is a right side elevational view of the tube slitter of
FIG. 14 in the closed position according to the present
invention.
FIG. 18 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the tube slitter of
FIG. 17 across cut lines 18-18.
FIG. 19 is a left cross-sectional view of the tube slitter shown in
FIG. 14.
FIG. 20 is bottom cross-sectional view of the tube slitter shown in
FIG. 19 across cut lines 20-20.
FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG.
14 showing one body portion with the storage for extra blades
26.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14 in the
open position.
FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14 in the
open position with a cable engaged in the groove of one body
portion.
FIG. 24 is a rear elevational perspective view of the tube slitter
of FIG. 14 in the open position.
FIG. 25 is a front elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14
in the open position.
FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14 in the
open position.
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14 in the
open position showing the hinge.
FIG. 28 is a left elevational view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14
in the open position.
FIG. 29 shows a front perspective view of the tube slitter in an
open position.
FIG. 30 is a left front top perspective view of the tube slitter of
FIG. 14 in the open position.
FIG. 31 is a front top perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG.
14 in the open position.
FIG. 32 is a right front top perspective view of the tube slitter
of FIG. 14 in the open position.
FIG. 33 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the tube
slitter of FIG. 14 showing the blade secured and extending into the
groove.
FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the tube slitter of FIG. 14
showing a method of using the tube slitter with an operator's hand
grasping the tube slitter in the closed position with a cable or
tube inserted through the opening formed by the concave
surface.
FIG. 35 is a perspective view of one tool portion half of the tube
slitter according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the opposite tool portion half of
the tube slitter engagable with the third embodiment shown in FIG.
35.
FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the one tool portion half of the
tube slitter shown in FIG. 35.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)
In describing the embodiment of the present invention, reference
will be made herein to FIGS. 1-37 of the drawings in which like
numerals refer to like features of the invention.
The tool of the present invention may be employed with a fixed
blade to cut or slit a tube or cable, including cable jacket or
insulation, to a desired depth set by the dimension of the blade.
The tool of the present invention uses an angled hinge to rotate
the blade(s) into the tube or cable jacket using the same motion as
tool operation. This action eases the stress put on the tool
operator. The instant tool does not need to rely on a clip to set
the closed tool position, so it is more accurate than locking
tools.
A first embodiment of the tube slitter tool of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 3-13. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, tool 20 of
the present invention has first and second body halves, identified
as first body portion 22a and second body portion 22b joined at one
end by off-axis hinge 40. Body portions 22a, 22b when folded
together (FIG. 1) meet along a plane. Each body portion 22a, 22b
has a length L in the direction from the hinge 40 end of the body
to the end 26a, 26b opposite the hinge, and a width W perpendicular
to the length. Molded or otherwise formed into and across the width
of each body portion are one or more semi-cylindrical or otherwise
concave or indented surfaces, channels or grooves 31a, 31b, 32a,
32b, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b. When the body portions
22a, 22b are closed together, the semi-cylindrical surfaces form
cylindrical openings with longitudinal axes generally perpendicular
to the body length and parallel to the body width, and that have
different desired diameters to accommodate tubes or cable of
different diameters within the height H of each body portion. The
indentations, channels or grooves 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b,
34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b across the body portions may be
configured to the shape of the tube or cable, such as rectangular,
and may be in one or the other of the body portions 22a or 22b,
instead of both as shown. The tool cylindrical openings diameters
or widths may be the same or slightly larger than the cable to be
slit, to enable the cable to be slid through with respect to the
tool body. Projecting into each of the openings from the
semi-cylindrical surfaces on one or both body portions is a
slitting or cutting blade 24. Blade 24 extends into
semi-cylindrical surfaces 31a, 31b, 32a, 32b, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b,
35a, 35b, 36a, 36b a distance of height sufficient to cut through
the cable jacket, or otherwise make the desired cut in the tube or
cable. While this blade 24 is shown as being fixed, it is possible
to employ blades whose depth may be adjusted. Instead of being
integrally formed into and of one piece with body portions 22a,
22b, the cable indentations, channels or grooves 31a, 31b, 32a,
32b, 33a, 33b, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 36a, 36b and their associated
blades 24 may be provided as a cassette removable as a unit from
within body portions 22a, 22b. This would permit common body
portions 22a, 22b, joined by off-axis hinge 40, to be configured
for cable diameters and blade heights for different customers and
applications.
The off-axis hinge 40 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6a, 6b, 8,
9, 11 and 13. In FIGS. 6a and 6b, the opposite tool portions 22a,
22b are in the closed position and hinge pivot axis in hinge 40
extends in a direction substantially in the direction of the width
of the tool and at an acute offset angle to both i) the plane along
which the first and second opposite tool portions 22a, 22b meet and
ii) the longitudinal axis of the tube or cable in the channel
formed by the concave surfaces in the tool portions. The off-axis
hinge configuration of the tool of the present invention relieves
strain on the operator and ensures a consistent cut depth. It works
by transferring the natural pressure of squeezing and pulling the
tool directly to the blade. The hinge redirects the forces acting
down the axis of the tool to move the tool halves closer together,
tightening the blades into the cable, as shown by the force vectors
in FIG. 6b. This reduces the strain on the operator because the
need to drive the blades into the tube, cable or cable jacket is
integrated into the natural pulling movement of the tool.
The pulling action of the tool with respect to the tube or cable
creates twisting forces on the off-axis hinge. The instant tool
supports those forces on the opposite, non-hinge, end of the tool
using alignment features 80 that limit the twisting of the hinge.
As shown in FIG. 7, the tool includes a face 92a on the first tool
portion 22a which contacts the face 92b of the second tool portion
22b when the tool is in the closed position, the faces 92a, 92b
meeting one another along a plane 100. The alignment features 80
comprise at least one protrusion 82 on the first tool portion 22a
and at least one corresponding detent 84 on the tool second portion
22b. The protrusion 82 includes a top surface and tapered side
walls extending from the top surface to the first tool face 92a.
The detent 84 includes a bottom surface and tapered side walls
extending from the bottom surface to the second tool face 92b. When
first and second opposite tool portions 22a, 22b are folded to the
closed position with the tube or cable between the at least one
concave surface in each of the first and second tool portions 22a,
22b, movement of the tube or cable with respect to the tool in the
direction of arrow 70 to cut the tube or cable jacket with the
blade causes the first and second opposite tool portions 22a, 22b
to be urged toward each other in the direction of arrows 74, 76.
The protrusion 82 may be nearly engaged with the corresponding
detent 84 as shown in FIG. 7a, and as the cable is drawn through in
the direction of arrow 70, the force of the cable pulling the
second portion 22b in the direction of arrow 70 allows the hinge 40
to force the tool portions 22a, 22b together in the direction of
arrows 74, 76 because of the angle of the hinge 40 to the tool
portion top surfaces 92a, 92b whereby the tool is urged to the
fully closed position as shown in FIG. 7b. Additionally, the tool
may be in the fully closed position before the cable is drawn in
the direction of arrow 70 and the drawing movement maintains the
tool in the closed position. The tool portions 22a, 22b may be
forced away from one another directly by the user, or the cable may
be drawn in the direction of arrow 72 to open the tool for removal
of the cable or tube. These alignment features prevent excessive
wear on the hinge and reduce the possibility that the tool halves
will slide past each other beyond the designed closed position. The
alignment features may include a protrusion 82 on each of the tool
portions 22a, 22b engagable with a detent 84 on the opposition tool
portion as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7a and 7b.
A second embodiment of the tube slitter tool 20' of the present
invention is shown in FIGS. 14-34. This embodiment includes a
similar off-axis hinge 40 but includes only one opening formed by
concave surface indentation, channel or groove 31a, 31b across the
width of the body portion configured to accept the shape of the
tube or cable 50. The tool cylindrical opening diameter or width
may be the same or slightly larger than the cable to be slit, to
enable the cable to be slid through with respect to the tool body.
Projecting into each of the semi-cylindrical surfaces on
indentation, channel or groove 31a, 31b of the body portions is a
slitting or cutting blade 24, which extends a distance of height
sufficient to cut through the cable jacket, or otherwise make the
desired cut in the tube or cable 50. In this embodiment, the body
portion has extended from a side thereof a projection, consisting
of body portions 122a, 122b, through which the opening formed by
indentation, channel or groove 31a, 31b extends. This projection
increases the width of the tool, compared to the width of body
portions 22a, 22b. Blades 24 may be located in this projection,
beyond the sides of the body portions 22a, 22b.
Body portions 22a, 22b may contain on their interior slots or
storage openings for spare blades and a hex wrench installation
tool that are accessible when the tool is in the opened position
(FIGS. 15, 17 and 20).
The tube slitter tool 20' includes the first and second body
portions or opposite tool portions or 22a, 22b, each tool portion
including a common hinged portion at a first tool end for engaging
the opposite tool portion. The first and second opposite tool
portions 22a, 22b are foldable about the hinged portion 40 between
an open position and a closed, folded-together position, each of
the first and second opposite tool portions 22a, 22b having a
length L, width W, and height H, with the length extending in the
direction from the hinged portion at the one end to a second end
opposite the hinge. The width W extends in the direction
perpendicular to the length L and the height H extends in the
direction perpendicular to the length L and width W, the first and
second opposite tool portions 22a, 22b meeting along a plane 250
(highlighted line 252 shows the plane lines on the tool 20')
comprising the length L and width W when the tool 20' in the closed
position. The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool 20'
includes at least one concave surface 31a, 31b extending across the
width W of at least one of the first and second tool portions 22a,
22b, the at least one concave surface 31a, 31b forming an opening
44, when the first and second opposite tool portions 31a, 31b are
in the closed position, through which a tube or cable 50 may be
slid with respect to the tool 20'.
The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool 20' includes a
blade 24 extending inward into the opening formed 44 by the at
least one concave surface for slitting or cutting a depth of the
tube or cable jacket as it is moved with respect to the tool 20'.
The tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool 20' includes a
hinge pivot axis 60 in the hinged portion extending in a direction
substantially in the direction of the width W and at an acute angle
to either the plane or to the longitudinal axis 70 of the tube or
cable in the opening formed by the at least one concave surface
31a, 31b. When the first and second opposite tool portions 22a, 22b
are folded to the closed position with the tube or cable 50 in the
opening, the blade 24 cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket 52
and movement of the tube or cable 60 with respect to the tool 20'
in one direction to slit or cut the tube or cable jacket 52 with
the blade 24 causes the first and second opposite tool portions
22a, 22b to be urged toward each other. Each of the tool portions
22a, 22b may include an alignment portion disposed near the second
end and the first tool portion alignment portion may be engagable
with the second tool portion alignment portion for maintaining
alignment of the tool when the tool is in the closed position. The
tube or cable jacket slitting or cutting tool 20' may include a
projection 122a, 122b extending from a side of first and second
opposite tool portions in the direction of the tool width W wherein
the at least one concave 31a, 31b surface extends through the
projection 122a, 122b. The blade 24 may extend inward into the
opening formed by the at least one concave surface 31a, 31b in the
projection 122a, 122b. The projection 122a, 122b may extend between
a user's fingers when the user grasps the tool with the fingers
extend substantially around the closed tool portions. The blade may
extend inward into the opening formed by the at least one concave
surface in the projection. The at least one concave surface 31a,
31b and blade 24 may be removable as a unit from the at least one
of the first and second tool portions. The tube or cable jacket
slitting or cutting tool 20' may include at least one concave
surface 31a, 31b formed into and extending across the width of each
of the first and second tool portions 22a, 22b, the at least one
concave surface 31a, 31b in each tool portion 22a, 22b being in
alignment with the other concave surface 22a, 22b to form an
opening 44, wherein when the first and second opposite tool
portions are in the closed position, the tube or cable 50 may be
slid through the opening 44 with respect to the tool 20'. Extra or
spare blades 26 (FIG. 21) may be secured in an interior portion of
the tube slitter 20' with a spare blade fastener 27 and may be
released using a fastener tool 28 secured in an interior portion of
the slitting tool 20'. Alignment of the tool 20' in the closed
position may be accomplished with male alignment protrusions 46
engaging female alignment depressions 47 to provide stabilization
of the tool 20' during the pulling action of the tool 20' with
respect to the tube or cable 50, the pulling action producing a
twisting force on the off-axis hinge 40. The instant tool supports
those forces on the opposite, non-hinge, end of the tool using the
male alignment protrusions 46 and female alignment depressions 47
that limit the twisting of the hinge.
A method of using the tube or cable slitting tool as described
above and shown in FIG. 34 includes ensuring the first and second
tool portions are in an open position and placing a tube or cable
50 having an outer jacket into the opening formed by the at least
one concave surface of the first or second tool portion 22a, 22b.
The method includes moving the first and second tool portions 22a,
22b to the closed position whereby the blade 24 extending inward
into opening 31a, 31b cuts the tube or cable 50 outer jacket and
drawing a portion of the tube or cable 50 with respect to the tool
10 in a parallel direction to the at least one concave surface of
the first or second tool half 22a, 22b whereby the blade 24
produces an elongated slit in the tube or cable 50 jacket. The
method includes moving the tool 10 to the open position and
removing the slit tube or cable 50 from the at least one concave
surface of the first or second tool portion 22a, 22b. Drawing the
tube 50 through the opening 31a, 31b formed by the at least one
concave surface in one direction causes the first and second
opposite tool portions 22a, 22b to be urged toward one another. One
or both of the tool portions includes a projection 122a, 122b
extending from a side thereof in the direction of the tool width,
with the opening 31a, 31b formed by the at least one concave
surface extending through the projection 122a, 122b, and wherein
during drawing the tube. 50 through the at least one concave
surface in one direction the projection extends between the tool
operator's fingers when the user grasps the tool 10 with the
fingers extend substantially around the closed tool portions 22a,
22b.
In other words, after moving the first and second tool body
portions 22a, 22b about the hinge 40 into the open position,
without disassembling the tool 10, the tool operator places tube or
cable 50 having an outer jacket in one concave surface, and then
moves the first and second tool portions about the hinge to the
closed position. An end or mid-span portion of the tube or cable
may be placed in the tool. In the case of the second tool
embodiment, the operator grasps the tool such that the fingers
extend substantially around the closed body portions 22a, 22b, with
the projection 122a, 122b extending between the fingers. The blade
cuts into the tube or cable outer jacket, and the operator draws
the portion of the tube or cable extending from projection 122a,
122b outward in a parallel direction to the one concave surface
(e.g., opposite the direction of the arrow on the tool housing
shown in FIG. 18), so that the blade makes an elongated slit in the
tube or cable jacket. The tool is drawn in the direction of the
arrow with respect to the cable. After moving the tool to the open
position, the slit tube or cable may be removed from the tool body
portion.
The articulating hinge of the tool allows accurate end and mid-span
stripping without disassembling the tool. The user simply closes
the tool over the cable and pulls to slit the jacket. The blades
are shielded to provide safe operation and prevent cuts and
lacerations to the operator's fingers. The tool body may be made
with lightweight materials, such as a polymer, and has an ergonomic
design with convenient opening tabs which fits comfortably in the
operator's hand and requires minimal effort to use. The blades may
be reversible blades, and additional replacement blades may be
stowed conveniently inside the tool.
FIGS. 35-37 are a perspective views of a third embodiment of the
tube slitter and show the off-axis hinge 40 and the pin 41 allowing
the first tool portion 22a' to rotatingly engage the second tool
portion 22b'. The first or second tool portion 22a', 22b' includes
a magnet 88 which is preferably a high strength earth magnet and
the opposite tool portion includes an alloy dowel pin 89 which
substantially contacts the magnet 88 when the tube slitter is in
the closed position. FIG. 37 shows the second tool portion 22b'
having the alloy dowel pin 89 secured in an opening 99 and the
corresponding earth magnet 88 secured in first tool portion 22a'
aligned with the dowel pin 89 (the first tool portion not shown)
when the tube slitter is in a partially open position. FIGS. 35-37
additionally show the off-axis hinge 40 and hinge pin 41 common to
both tool portions 22a', 22b'. The magnet 88 urges the allow dowel
89 toward the magnet 88 so that when the tool is in the closed
position, the earth magnet 88 and allow dowel pin 89 secure the
tool in a tightly closed position, maintaining the tight tolerances
in slitting the cable or tube 50.
Thus, the present invention provides one or more of the following
advantages: 1) The off-axis hinge transfers natural pulling
pressure into blade engagement pressure. The tool is consistently
held closed ensuring consistent cut depths. 2) The twist limiting
features restricts over torqueing of hinge and supports off-axis
loads generated by the hinge. 3) The tool is ergonomic convenient
to the operator using one handed operation to hold the tool while
pulling the tube or cable with the other hand.
While the present invention has been particularly described, in
conjunction with one or more specific embodiments, it is evident
that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing
description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims
will embrace any such alternatives, modifications and variations as
falling within the true scope and spirit of the present
invention.
* * * * *